September is a great time to come enjoy traditional storytelling at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Make plans now to attend the year's kickoff event: the Third Annual Blue Heron Ghost Train Storytelling program. The evening's storytelling sessions will begin around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 2013, at the Blue Heron Mining Community Interpretive Center near Stearns, Kentucky. During this special event, park staff will lead small groups of visitors in the darkness of night by only the flickers of lanterns to local storytellers. They, through the age-old tradition of the spoken word, will share their traditional tales from around our region with you. This program should end around 10:30 p.m.

Visitors have the option of either descending to this abandoned coal-mining camp by rail or road. Please contact the Big South Fork Scenic Railway at 800-462-5664, (606) 376-5330, or online at www.bsfsry.com to obtain train tickets. There is a fee to ride this round-trip excursion and reservations are recommended. The train departs from Stearns Depot just after sunset (7:00 p.m.) and will venture under the darkness of the new moon downward into the gorge to Blue Heron.

Those who prefer to attend this event for free may drive their own vehicles to this activity by following the directional signs from Stearns via Kentucky Highways 92W and 1651S to 742W. Blue Heron Mining Community is located approximately 12 miles from Stearns, Kentucky, at the end of Highway 742W. Free parking is available. Refreshments and heat-and-serve food will be available for purchase at the concession stand.